You are a zookeeper, and one day a shady looking man brings in what he calls an “exotic animal.” This animal is in a wooden box with small air holes on the top and the box is stamped DANGEROUS. He throws a picture on your desk and you look at the strangest creature you’ve...

Use the most ridiculous dream you can remember having and write a story that explains everything that happened in the dream. (i.e. I had a banana costume on because I’d been hired to advertise for a fruit smoothie stand.) Post your response (500 words or less) in the comments below.

One day, at your local public library, you are looking around the very back shelves. There is a particularly boring looking book there, but for some reason it catches your interest and you find yourself removing it from the shelf. However, as soon as you move the book, the bookcase opens in like a...

When you are eating out at your favorite restaurant, you find something unexpected in your food. The owner comes over, looking frazzled, and begs, “Please, I can explain!” Write a creative/exciting explanation for the object you discovered in your meal. Post your response (500 words or less) in the comments below.

In the middle of the night, you get an urgent call from a friend you haven’t talked to in years. Something terrible has happened. What is it and why is he/she calling you? Post your response (500 words or less) in the comments below.

One day you wake up to find your dog/cat waiting for you at the side of your bed, sitting on your briefcase. Cocking its head, it tells you, in perfect English, that you won’t be going to work today. Why won’t your pet let you go to work, and what happens? Post your response...

You often hear people say, “You’ll never understand another person until you’ve walked a day in his or her shoes.” Choose a fictional character and walk a day in his or her shoes. Now write about it. Post your response (500 words or less) in the comments below.

Write a letter to yourself that you will open in six months. Include your current accomplishments and concerns, and remind yourself of one thing from today that you want to make sure “future you” does not forget. Post your response (500 words or less) in the comments below.

You’ve been given an opportunity to be a contestant on your favorite game show. Write about your experience, your interaction with the host and how you made it to the final round with a chance to win. Also, end the piece with the line “And that’s how I almost won (fill in the blank).”...

Storms have knocked out the power. You find the flashlight and make shadow bunnies on the wall, but you can tell the kids are not amused. So instead you decide to tell a scary story. Create a story that would scare even the toughest of teenagers. Post your response (500 words or less) in...

You’ve left town—ditching your old, miserable life—hoping to start a new life for yourself. You’ve given yourself a new name, fake background and style. Write about your first encounter in your new town. Post your response (500 words or less) in the comments below.

A close friend has a life-altering decision to make and asks you for advice. What advice do you give? Write the conversation between you and your friend. Post your response (500 words or less) in the comments below.

The love of your life is getting married to someone else. In a last-ditch attempt to win the love of your life back, you bust into the wedding and profess your love mid-ceremony. Start your story with the line, “Don’t say yes!” Post your response (500 words or less) in the comments below.

You’re out to eat a nice birthday dinner with your family when the waiting staff marches out from the back room with a cake. With everyone around singing happy birthday, you decide this is the moment to make that life-changing announcement you’ve been considering. Post your response (500 words or less) in the comments...